Business services client brings fresh Asian fusion menu to Lincoln Park neighborhood
Nevi Mariadi is not only one of Duluth’s newest restaurateurs, she’s also introducing a cuisine that’s new to many local palates: Indonesian. Bali Asian Cuisine, which opened this fall in the Lincoln Park crafts district, brings the traditional, mouth-watering flavors of Mariadi’s home country to northeast Minnesota.
Her unique Asian Fusion menu is a combination of Balinese dishes like chicken sate with peanut sauce, bakwan jagung (crispy corn cakes), and rendang (savory beef stew, pictured) with other Asian fare such as sushi and ramen.
The warm brick-and-wood space, located at 1931 W. Superior Street., features seating for 85, a sushi counter and a full bar.
Bringing the concept to life was a group effort. Her partner, Kelly Reinarz, did most of the interior finishing work and members of Nevi’s family traveled from across the country to help her prepare for the opening.
Funding the start-up costs, build-out, and equipment was also a joint undertaking. Although Mariadi has 15+ years of experience – she immigrated to the U.S. at age 18 and opened her first restaurant in Colorado in 2014 – like many start-ups, Bali Asian relied on owner equity and regional nontraditional financing to get off the ground.
The Northland Foundation’s business lending team worked closely with Mariadi to provide financing for equipment, inventory, initial working capital and other soft costs.
Northland was able to utilize the Minnesota Loan Guarantee Program (MNLGP) for the deal, a state-administered program that guarantees 80% of the principal for qualifying small business loans made by MNLGP enrolled lenders.
Just recently Mariadi collaborated once again with the Northland Foundation, this time for technical assistance with preparing her pitch for a Kiva crowd-funded loan. She successfully funded an $8,000 loan in a matter of days toward the purchase of a larger cooler.
“This was a neat project for us—one that ticked many boxes,” explained Amanda Vuicich, Small Business Lender. “Bali Asian Cuisine fills a niche in the local dining scene, repurposes an older building, provides jobs, contributes to the tax base, and is a great reminder of how diverse people and cultures add so much to our communities.”
Recently closed loans total nearly $1 million
In recent months, the Northland Foundation has closed loans totaling $980,000 to support two business expansions and two start-ups in the region.
Newly added trustees bring diverse experiences and perspectives
Welcoming fresh voices, recognizing contributions of former Trustees
The Northland Foundation’s Board of Trustees warmly welcomes three new members who begin their terms at the April 2024 board meeting.
They join a team hailing from communities across our region who have a wide range of backgrounds yet who share a common quality: passion for the places we call home. Find the full Board of Trustees on our website.
“We are thrilled be adding these three individuals to the dynamic group of leaders on our board.”
He served as interim Executive Director working directly with the Tribal Council implementing policy and procedure. Previously, he worked within the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management as Environmental Director for Natural Resource Management. Among his past accomplishments was helping facilitate the government-to-government development of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding relationship between Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Science.
Ben Benoit
Kenneth A. Reid currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota. In this role, he supports student affairs/services departments, works collaboratively to increase student success, and evaluates policies and procedures impacting student retention, persistence, and completion.
Before his appointment at Lake Superior College, Kenneth served in several other functional areas, including residence life, student conduct, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for nearly eight years at various institutions. He holds a B.S. in communication with an emphasis in advertising and public relations from Grand Valley State University, and an M.A. in post-secondary education: student affairs from the University of Northern Iowa.
Kristen Vake is the Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA). She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Chicago. As a former TV news anchor and journalist, Kristen brings vast storytelling experience to her role at the IMA, sparking meaningful conversations about iron mining and its role in our future.
Kristen grew up in Chisholm, MN. A proud Iron Ranger, she is driven to influence positive growth and change across the region and beyond. She helped create a nonprofit called ReGen to make sure young people in the region have a seat at decision-making tables. She serves on the Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education board and volunteers for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota as well as several chambers of commerce.
Kenneth A. Reid Kristen Vake
Outgoing Board Members
We would also like to recognize former Trustees, Baabiitaw Boyd and Shaye Moris, both of whom stepped down from the Northland Foundation board in recent months. Thank you for serving our organization and, most importantly, the people and communities of our region!
Funding Notes
Lloyd K. Johnson grant to help strengthen intergenerational engagement
A $15,000 grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation will support the implementation of the AGE to age Community Engagement Project in Lake County. This new grant, combined with support from the Wallace Foundation and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation are helping re-ignite intergenerational social engagement and volunteer opportunities in AGE to age communities across the region.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for AGE to age programming in Two Harbors and the North Shore Area,” stated Zane Bail, Chief Operating Officer. “Our AGE to age community partners will be able to access training and financial support to strengthen social connections and improve the well-being of children, youth, older adults/elders, and the generations-in-between.”
The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation seeks to promote access to educational opportunities and to improve the quality of life in the North Shore communities of Cook, Lake and southern St. Louis Counties.
Business Services Program receives funding boost from two longstanding economic development partners
$7,500 from Compeer Financial will advance economic opportunity in rural Northeast Minnesota.
The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, a farm lending cooperative serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Over the past 15 years, Compeer Financial has provided $132,500 in funding to support the Northland Foundation’s programming aimed at fostering economic and community vitality in rural communities.
“Compeer Financials’ consistent support for the mission and work of the Foundation over the years has made a difference in the region’s well-being,” said Tony Sertich, Northland Foundation President. “Their continued generosity is greatly appreciated.”
Granite Partners Foundation funds will support Northland SBDC work with small businesses.
A $5,000 grant from Granite Partners Foundation of Minnesota will help support the Northland Small Business Development Program (SBDC), hosted regionally by the Northland Foundation.
“Each year, our SBDC consultants help hundreds of people in our region to start, sustain and grow their small businesses. We are pleased to receive this generous grant from Granite Equity to boost entrepreneurship and economic diversity in northeast Minnesota,” said Michael Colclough, Northland Foundation’s Director of Business Services.
Granite Partners is a private equity and investment company. The Granite Partners Foundation of Minnesota is a corporate foundation established in 2022 to enhance prosperity and wellbeing in the communities that enable the growth of the Granite Companies.
Quarterly and Youth In Philanthropy Grants Awarded
Grants Summary
OCTOBER-DECEMBER QUARTERLY GRANTS In the third quarter of 2023, the Northland Foundation staff and Board of Trustees awarded 56 grants totaling $1,962,509 to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, governmental entities such as Tribal nations and school districts, as well as special grants to child care businesses to support the availability of licensed care in the region. Click for Oct-Dec quarterly grants details.
WINTER YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY GRANTS In January, the young people and adult mentors serving on the Youth In Philanthropy Advisory Board met and approved eight grants totaling $7,330. Grants range up to $1000 each for school and community projects that are planned and developed by children and youth, with support from adult advisors. Click for Winter Youth In Philanthropy grants details.
56 quarterly grants totaling $1,962,509 awarded October-December: rural aging and child care expansion highlighted
The Northland Foundation awarded nearly $2 million in grant funds in the last quarter of 2023 to benefit people and communities in its geographic service area.
The lion’s share of grant dollars – $1,175,000 total – were awarded through the Northland Foundation’s Integrated Rural Community Aging Program which is being implemented in three targeted rural sites and three Tribal nations to integrate care coordination, social engagement, and quality of care for older adults, Tribal elders, and their caregivers. This is the second three-year phase of this special program, focused on deeper capacity-building work to bolster services and supports which give rural older adults opportunities for social connections and access to care.
“Northland Foundation has been engaged in aging and intergenerational programming in our rural region for 30 years,” stated Zane Bail, Northland Foundation’s COO. “We are pleased to be able to offer grants to partners that are doing the hard work of providing services that help older adults in our region to live well in their homes and local communities.”
Northland also awarded more than two dozen grants to help increase the availability of licensed child care in northeast Minnesota. The foundation collaborates with local, regional, and statewide partners working to address the region’s critical shortage of child care. Funding partners include the City of Duluth 1200 Fund, St. Louis County, and the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development providing resources to support child care startup and expansion, staffing attraction and retention efforts, and funds to help programs cover expenses or improvements they need to remain licensed.
Find details of all October-December 2023 quarterly grants here.
Promise Act Grants for businesses now available
Eligible small businesses and nonprofits may receive up to $50,000
The Northland Foundation has rolled out the Promise Act Grant Program offering $1.1 million for grants to eligible northeast Minnesota small businesses and some nonprofits. Funding and eligibility guidelines were established in law during the 2023 Minnesota legislative session. These are competitive grants; not all who apply may receive an award.
Grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will be awarded to applicants in communities adversely affected by lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population, structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, and/or lack of regional economic diversification. .
The program is aimed at currently operating businesses with annual gross revenues of $10,000 to $750,000 as documented in their 2021 and 2022 tax returns. Depending on gross revenues, successful applicants may receive $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000.
Applications are being taken through 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024, from businesses whose primary location is in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties or the Tribal nations of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake (District I), and Mille Lacs (District II). Businesses headquartered elsewhere should contact the Minnesota Initiative Foundation in their region.
The Northland Small Business Development Center is providing no-cost technical assistance to those seeking help to apply. Find virtual and in-person SBDC office hours, a helpful video, and FAQs here: https://northlandsbdc.org/promise-act/.
If you have questions, please contact Michelle Ufford, Northland Foundation’s Director of Grantmaking.
